Alice’s guidebook
Food scene
The Pearl Kitchen & Bar
55 Calhoun StCalhoun Street; easy parking
Pour Richard's
4376 Bluffton ParkwayOff the beaten path, easy parking
Great food and desserts by Ally
Old Town Dispensary
15 Captains CoveIn the heart of Old Town; built of recycled wood; very casual
The Cottage Cafe, Bakery & Tea Room
38 Calhoun StQuaint; heart of old Town;
Captain Woody's Seafood Bar
17 State Of Mind StGreat seafood
Difficult parking
FARM Bluffton
1301 May River RdUnique locally sourced small plates
Difficult parking
Great hangout from morning through afternoon
48 locals recommend
Corner Perk Brunch Cafe & Coffee Roasters
1297 May River RdGreat hangout from morning through afternoon
Farm venue
easy parking
Great Sunday brunch but crowded so try a different day
26 locals recommend
Cahill's Market & Chicken Kitchen
1055 May River RdFarm venue
easy parking
Great Sunday brunch but crowded so try a different day
Bluffton Room
15 Promenade StHigh end dining; don't take children
Valet parking
Truffles Cafe
71 Lighthouse RdVery successful contemporary restaurant near Kroger on Hwy 278.
Lowcountry Fresh Market & Cafe
303 Bleecker Street SouthJust opened; One of a kind market for local vendors;
Eat in option
Downtown Deli
1223 May River RdGreat lunch venue. Easy parking.
Can host group events too.
Alvin Ord's Sandwich Shop
1415 Ribaut RdPopular lunch spot
Choo Choo BBQ Xpress
129 Burnt Church RdLess than 2 miles from The Cottage.
Nectar Farm Kitchen Bluffton
207 Bluffton RoadLocal pie Bluffton
15 State Of Mind StGood pizza in a popular area of town but parking is an issue
Locally owned and operated for many years.
Popular area of town.
Parking is an issue.
11 locals recommend
Bluffton Barbeque
11 State Of Mind StLocally owned and operated for many years.
Popular area of town.
Parking is an issue.
First Watch - Bluffton
1121 Fording Island RdPopular Sunday brunch
Easy parking
Sightseeing
The Oyster Factory sells great seafood, known for local oysters.
The park is heavily used by boaters on weekends.
Historic home on the site; Picnic shelter; River views and access.
14 locals recommend
Bluffton Oyster Factory Park
63 Wharf StThe Oyster Factory sells great seafood, known for local oysters.
The park is heavily used by boaters on weekends.
Historic home on the site; Picnic shelter; River views and access.
Beautiful, historic building on the May River;
Anglican tradition, Sunday services at 8 and 10.
Saturday service at 5:28 pm.
31 locals recommend
The Church of the Cross
110 Calhoun StBeautiful, historic building on the May River;
Anglican tradition, Sunday services at 8 and 10.
Saturday service at 5:28 pm.
Restoration of ante-bellum Carriage House started Feb. 2023.
Antique Camellia planting project has begun. I am the lead in this project so can answer any questions.
7 locals recommend
Wright Family Park
Calhoun StreetRestoration of ante-bellum Carriage House started Feb. 2023.
Antique Camellia planting project has begun. I am the lead in this project so can answer any questions.
Newly renovated and improved public dock.
Fishing, crabbing, boat docking
Calhoun Street Fishing Pier
Newly renovated and improved public dock.
Fishing, crabbing, boat docking
Calhoun Street
Calhoun StreetGreat shopping for pottery, arts and crafts and unusual items from local artisans.
Great hangout for families with children;
Covered picnic pavilion and restroom facilities
9 locals recommend
DuBois Park
67 Lawrence StGreat hangout for families with children;
Covered picnic pavilion and restroom facilities
Source of local information;
Old Town Walking tours offered
Historic home; Entertainment cabana
15 locals recommend
Heyward House Museum and Welcome Center
70 Boundary StSource of local information;
Old Town Walking tours offered
Historic home; Entertainment cabana
Thursdays from noon to 5
Great local food; crafts;
Located at Martin Family Park, benches and lawn
13 locals recommend
Bluffton Farmer's Market
68 Boundary StThursdays from noon to 5
Great local food; crafts;
Located at Martin Family Park, benches and lawn
Coastal Discovery Museum
70 Honey Horn DrLearn about the history and eco system of Hilton Head
The Sandbox at Tanger 2
1414 Fording Island RdGood rainy day alternative activity
A great park for children;
Dog park included
Venue for team sports
Rotary Club Community Center
Oscar Frazier Park
A great park for children;
Dog park included
Venue for team sports
Rotary Club Community Center
May River Excursions
81 Calhoun Stguided river trips for sightseeing and fishing
Old Town Bike Barn & Adventures
28 Dr Mellichamp Drrental bicycles in the Promenade in Old Town
Outside Hilton Head
1 Shelter Cove LnGuided river trips by motorboat or kayak;
fishing excursions
Closest large airport.
About a 45 minute drive to this location depending on traffic.
20 locals recommend
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
400 Airways AveClosest large airport.
About a 45 minute drive to this location depending on traffic.
small nearby airport
limited service, usually higher prices than Savannah
10 locals recommend
Hilton Head Island Airport
120 Beach City Rdsmall nearby airport
limited service, usually higher prices than Savannah
Mitchelleville was the site of the first public school for newly freed enslaved people during the Civil War
33 locals recommend
Fish Haul Beach Park
120 Mitchelville RdMitchelleville was the site of the first public school for newly freed enslaved people during the Civil War
Museum focusing on the local culture and history of the Gullah community
10 locals recommend
Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island
12 Georgianna DrMuseum focusing on the local culture and history of the Gullah community
A nice place for walking or biking;
Free guided trolley tour offered Tuesdays 10:30-noon by the Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refugee. Sign up online.
Also a public boat dock and ramp;
Dogs not allowed
No restrooms
30 locals recommend
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
A nice place for walking or biking;
Free guided trolley tour offered Tuesdays 10:30-noon by the Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refugee. Sign up online.
Also a public boat dock and ramp;
Dogs not allowed
No restrooms
Captain Amber Kuehn, a local native, knows her stuff and presents it well!
Spartina Marine Education Charters
110 Calhoun StreetCaptain Amber Kuehn, a local native, knows her stuff and presents it well!
Hunting Island State Park
2555 Sea Island ParkwayOne of the most popular state parks in South Carolina
Of interest to science and nature buffs
Located on Sawmill Creek Road on the Colleton River;
A public boat launch is just down the road.
Waddell Mariculture Center
Of interest to science and nature buffs
Located on Sawmill Creek Road on the Colleton River;
A public boat launch is just down the road.
Neighborhoods
High end resort and residential community;
Ruins of Wilson Mansion;
Buffullos Restaurant in Wilson Village open to public;
public dock access
12 locals recommend
Palmetto Bluff
High end resort and residential community;
Ruins of Wilson Mansion;
Buffullos Restaurant in Wilson Village open to public;
public dock access
Historic area of Bluffton
Nice sidewalks and walking
Several parks for rest stops
Multiple restaurant options
18 locals recommend
Old Town Bluffton - Bluffton
5759 Guilford PlHistoric area of Bluffton
Nice sidewalks and walking
Several parks for rest stops
Multiple restaurant options
Buckwalter Place
Newer area of Bluffton
Plenty of name brand shopping
Driving, not walking access
Home for basketball and other team sports
Adult classes and work out machines
Buckwalter Recreation Center
Home for basketball and other team sports
Adult classes and work out machines
Alljoy Public Dock
Public boat launch on the May River with easy access to Hilton Head and Bluffton
City/town information
Historic city located less than an hour from Bluffton
Day trip a great option
252 locals recommend
Savannah
Historic city located less than an hour from Bluffton
Day trip a great option
Historic small city less than an hour from Bluffton located on the Intracoastal waterway
Good day trip
127 locals recommend
Beaufort
Historic small city less than an hour from Bluffton located on the Intracoastal waterway
Good day trip
World renown tourist destination with great public beaches, historic sites and golf.
106 locals recommend
Hilton Head Island
World renown tourist destination with great public beaches, historic sites and golf.
An ususual island community with historic roots and new golf communities; Accessible by ferry or private boat
73 locals recommend
Daufuskie Island
An ususual island community with historic roots and new golf communities; Accessible by ferry or private boat
Bluffton
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Thursday Bluffton Farmers Market
noon until 5 in Old Town Martin Family Park
Getting around
Saturday traffic on Hwy 278
Check in day for Hilton Head rentals is Saturday afternoon.
Often eastbound traffic backs up for miles.
Avoid going east on Saturday afternoon.
YOu may drive on Bluffton Parkway which is parallel.
Customs and culture
Pictures not permitted inside the Bluffton Oyster Factory
A print, "Bluffton Oyster Factory Shuckers" may be purchased to support the seafood workers.